Page 757 - Reading Mercury

WOKINGHAM AND DISTRICT CELEBRATE VJ DAY
The news of the unconditional surrender of the Japs, broadcast by the Prime
Minister at midnight on Tuesday, was heard only by those who stayed up in
anticipation of such an announcement. But many residents of the district were
unaware of the fact that Wednesday was the first of the two days’ VJ holiday until
early on Wednesday morning.
Wokingham residents were rudely awakened from their peaceful slumbers at 6.30
a.m., by a stentorian voice announcing “Good morning, it’s a VERY good morning,
because here is the news that the world has been waiting for…...the Japanese war is
over…..!” followed by strains of martial music. One particular resident of the Market
Place apparently took a poor view of this unconstitutional method of announcing
Peace and, thrusting a tousled head out of his bedroom window, instructed the
broadcaster to “Clear off!” in no uncertain terms.
But this instigator of modern “Town Crying,” undaunted, continued on his way, his
pronouncements being greeted with cheers and expressions of good-will. Early
morning risers, on their way to work, unaware of it being a public holiday, upon
hearing the official announcement, promptly turned their footsteps in the direction of
home once more.
It may be gathered that this self-appointed “Town Crier” was none other than Mr.
John Goswell with his mobile amplifying unit. Throughout Wednesday morning other
contract address contractors in villages throughout East Berks cooperated in
promoting the desired gay and happy atmosphere by broadcasting music from their
shops and mobile vans, to the great delight of the youngsters especially.
Despite the heavy rain and dull sky which persisted throughout all of Wednesday
morning, flags, bunting and streamers made their appearance again and towns began
to take on a carnival spirit.
Residents gathered on their front steps and conversed freely with their neighbours
on the wonderful news. This was a great day for many of them—their sons and
husbands in the Far East theatre of operations would, they hoped, be home soon.
This culmination of a second world war in twenty-five years was celebrated
throughout the County with expressions of undisguised thankfulness. The churches
held special Thanksgiving Services and those who desired (and there were Many)
took advantage of giving thanks to Him for the safe deliverance of their loved ones.
Most of the food shops opened for a few hours on both VJ days, and bread and milk
deliveries were maintained. Cinemas and amusements continued to their advertised
programmes. Many took advantage of the Wednesday holiday to witness the Victory
Procession in London and the State Opening of Parliament, but due to abnormally
large crowds, few were able to see much of it.
The Mayor, together with members of the Wokingham Town Council, attended an
evening United Service at All Saints’ Church on Wednesday, which was followed by
an open-air service in the market Place, conducted by the Rev. Gordon Kenworthy.
During the evening crowds began to assemble in the vicinity of the Town Hall, in
anticipation of some form of festivity following the service, and this took the form of
dancing in the Square to the accompaniment of relayed dance music. Licensed houses
were unable to take advantage of the extended hours of opening, due to limited
supplies, and many of them closed early in the evening. This, however, did not appear
to cause any undue lack of jollification in the free for all dancing which was carried
on until midnight.
Peach Street was undoubtedly the brightest street in the town—shops being fully
illuminated and electric lamps being festooned across the street.

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